Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-02-19

though, I must take time [, think OF It.
OF course we know who the sender will
bep'
She glanced at me as she said this.
s.Kate, please do not" I said, implor-
ingly, blushing up to the roots Of my
hair, for knew that was doomed.
"Do not whatf" replied Kate. ooh!
by -the-by, Ethel you're sure to receive
some this year-one at least"
"Yee," broke in Charley Directed
in very stiff, upright hand. Now, who
would think that such very modest,
retiring person would write such very
decided hard? You know who mean,
Miss Vane?"
So the remarks flew around, and 1
knew that remonstrance was vain, and
that Mr.. Bargin and myself were to be
two of the victims on Valentines day.
Not only that, but greatly feared that
they intended sending either q valen-
tine to me in his name, or, far worse, one
from me to him.
For some reason this latter idea was
torture to me. or course what l received
myself was matter of little consequence.
I should know whom to thank for it; but
il could only know how they meant to
make use of my unfortunate name In
playing their jokes upon him!
So time wore on, and I comforted my
self by thinking that Mr.. Bargill, come
what might, would believe that / had
sent him valentine, more especially
such one as I feared they would send
him.
"It will be as Charley said," ]
thought. "He will most likely put it in
the fire, and no one will be whit the
WISER"
And then l caught myself wondering
whether it would make him shy of our
company, and whether he would cease
the walks from church, etc. And I must
allow that the idea vexed me.
SLOW very tiresome they are! 1 said
to myself. "And what bad taste it is to
play these jokes on people" forgetting
for the moment how often I had myself
been party to jokes OF the kind.
At last Valentines morning came.
There was much excitement round the
breakfast table when the post bag, full
to bursting, was handed in.
WAITED patiently for my share of it's
contents. They were three. First, q
letter from home in my mothers writing
secondly, large document, directed in
the stiff, upright hand I had been led
to expect; thirdly letter directed
in handwriting perfectly unknown to
me. I opened tne second mentioned
first.
"Now, Ethel, let us hearr' assailed me-
On every side.
"That's the writingl I knew it would
GOMEZ shouted Charley.
"Thank you, I am much obliged to
you ALL" I replied. 'It is admirably
written; but this one is much better
done"- AS I spoke held up the third
mentioned, written in the unknown
hand. "That large one is too elabor-
ate, Mr.. BargiIl, I am sure, would never
send such fowery composition as that.
Now, this is sober, and to the point"
I had just read it and was surprised
to find only short simple, earnest offer
of marriage mot much like valentine,
except that the writer slightly referred
to the character of the day as kind of
apology for addressing me. It was
signed only 81. B."
81 see," I said. ''You thought by
sending me two that I should certainly
be caught by one of them. This last
one is certainly the best. Some of
your work, I suspect, Connie. 1t is not
in Kettles STYLE"
Constance protested her innocence;
but in vain. Indeed, general chorus
of disclaimer was raised round the table;
but simply ignored it, put the two val
entines in,my pocket, and began to read
my mothne's letter. This was of anoth-
er kind. My father was seriously Ill.
My mother wanted me home directly;
and the next day found me on. my home
ward journey, depressed at the thought
of my fathers illness, and full OF regrets
at leaving my friends.
Then began a season of calamity and
trial. My father died, after fortnight's
illness, leaving myself, brother and
sister almost unprovided for.
The following year my sister, who had
been engaged for some time, was mar
ried. My mother died soon afterwards,
and was left alone almost absolutely
alone, my brother having gone abroad
to seek his fortune, and I chose rather to
seek an independence for myself than to
accept kindnesses from eister, who was
not in afduent circumstances.
Thus began my governess life, which
I am thankful to say, has been such
success that am now able to live in
comfort and to put by mite for rsiny
day. I have not spent much in travel
ing, though my friends, the Coventrys,
sent me many invitations. Perhaps I
am little proud, for I think I could not
mix in their society with Just the same
Eovvs.ov Io-c